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Kaz Matsui | Second Baseman

Team: International Player
Age / DOB:  (37) / 10/23/1975
Ht / Wt:  5'10' / 183
Bats / Throws: Switch / Right
Contract: view contract details
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Free agent Kaz Matsui has decided to return to Japan, agreeing to a deal with the Rakuten Eagles.
Matsui, 35, spent seven seasons in the U.S. and hit .267/.321/.380 in 2,302 at-bats. He was a solid enough starting second baseman, but both teams that gave him long-term deals soon regretted it. He made $38 million over the seven seasons, but only the Rockies, who picked him up from the Mets in 2006, got their money's worth. Thu, Nov 25, 2010 11:03:00 AM

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Date:
Kaz Matsui - 2B - Player

The Rakuten Eagles are interested in bringing Kaz Matsui back to Japan.

The 35-year-old Matsui looks done in the US, as he put together a woeful batting line of .141/.197/.155 in 71 at-bats with the Astros and then hit just .262/.331/.349 in 301 at-bats at Triple-A Colorado Springs this past season. The Eagles have already signed Aki Iwaumura and are also interested in Kenshin Kawakami, in addition to Matsui.
Source: Jason Coskrey on Twitter
Sat, Nov 20, 2010 08:24:00 AM
Kaz Matsui - 2B - Player

Rockies signed 2B Kaz Matsui to a minor league contract.

Matsui played a rather major role on the Rockies' 2007 World Series team, but he's a different player three years later. The veteran put up an ugly .141/.197/.155 batting line over his first 71 at-bats with the Astros this season and will head immediately to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Tue, May 25, 2010 08:46:00 AM
Kaz Matsui - 2B - Player

The Rockies have signed Kaz Matsui to a minor league contract, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com.

The Rockies have yet to make an official announcement. He is scheduled for a physical on Tuesday. Matsui was batting .141/.197/.155 over his first 71 at-bats before being released by the Astros last week. He is expected to join Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Source: Rockies.mlb.com
Mon, May 24, 2010 09:22:00 PM
Kaz Matsui - 2B - Player

Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd confirmed that he has interest in free agent infielder Kaz Matsui.

Matsui, 34, was released by the Astros last week after batting just .141 over his first 71 at-bats. There is mutual interest here, but O'Dowd said that the former Rockie would need to accept an assignment to Triple-A Colorado Springs. In turn, Matsui will likely seek out another major league opportunity before accepting.
Related: Rockies
Source: Troy Renck on Twitter
Mon, May 24, 2010 05:54:00 PM
Kaz Matsui - 2B - Player

Kaz Matsui has cleared waivers and is now a free agent.

The Rockies are thought to have some level of interest in Matsui, who had an ugly .141/.197/.155 batting line this season for the Astros and was released last week. Perhaps other clubs will have interest as well.
Source: Alyson Footer on Twitter
Mon, May 24, 2010 03:24:00 PM
Kaz Matsui - 2B - Player

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that the Rockies will have interest in Kaz Matsui once he clears waivers.

Clint Barmes continues to struggle, so the Rockies are going to consider all options. Matsui, 34, was released by the Astros earlier this week after batting .141/.197/.155 over his first 71 at-bats. Of course, Matsui played an important role in the Rockies' World Series run in 2007. He could be looked at as organizational depth in the minor leagues.
Related: Rockies
Source: Troy Renck on Twitter
Fri, May 21, 2010 09:55:00 AM
Kaz Matsui - 2B - Player

Astros released 2B Kaz Matsui.

It's about time. The Astros tend to carry veterans until they're days from the grave, but grew tired of Matsui's inconsistency at the plate and random bouts with injuries. The 34-year-old Japan native was batting a miserable .141 with a .197 on-base percentage in 71 at-bats this season. Jeff Keppinger is likely to draw most of the starts at second base moving forward.
Related: Jeff Keppinger
Wed, May 19, 2010 11:12:00 PM
Kaz Matsui - 2B - Player

Kaz Matsui did not start on Friday night against the Cubs but felt well enough to play.

Matsui fouled a ball off his right knee in his final at-bat on Thursday. "The only reason I'm not saying he's 100 percent is he's not running around," said manager Brad Mills. "I was talking to him earlier today, and both the doctors and trainers said he's fine. There's no limitations on Kaz tonight." Jeff Keppinger started in his place on Friday.
Related: Jeff Keppinger
Source: Astros.mlb.com
Fri, Apr 23, 2010 09:29:00 PM
Kaz Matsui - 2B - Player

Dropped to the seventh spot in the order, Kaz Matsui went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Monday's loss to the Cardinals.

Looking to spark a struggling offense, the Astros hit Tommy Manzella second in Matsui's usual spot today. The rookie had a single in four at-bats. In truth, it wouldn't have mattered what they tried with Adam Wainwright dealing today. Matsui, though, is a better bet in the two hole than Manzella.
Related: Tommy Manzella
Mon, Apr 12, 2010 06:52:00 PM
Kaz Matsui - 2B - Player

Kaz Matsui had a two-run homer and a double off Jon Lester as an Astros split-squad beat a Red Sox split-squad 10-7 in a rain-shortened game Sunday.

The game was called with the Red Sox coming to bat in the bottom of the eighth. Matsui is hitting .242/.359/.485 in 33 at-bats this spring. Some have speculated that the Astros could release him and go with Geoff Blum and Jeff Keppinger at second base. However, given that he's the superior defender in the group, it wouldn't make a lot of sense. He's not worth the $5 million the Astros are paying him, but he's probably their best option, at least against righties.
Sun, Mar 21, 2010 04:26:00 PM
Kaz Matsui - 2B - Player

Kaz Matsui went 2-for-2 with a homer, two walks and two runs scored Tuesday in the Astros' 8-4 win over the Mets.

The Astros were hoping Matsui might pull a Kenji Johjima and return to Japan over the winter, but he'll be back to earn the $5 million he's due in the last year of his three-year contract. He's currently set to be an everyday player, but Houston might be better off using Jeff Keppinger over him against lefties.
Tue, Mar 9, 2010 04:22:00 PM
Kaz Matsui - 2B - Player

Kaz Matsui was held out of Sunday's lineup with flu-like symptoms.

Several other Houston players are feeling under the weather, including Miguel Tejada and Carlos Lee. Matsui is hoping to return to the lineup shortly. "I should be OK [Monday]," he said. "It's tough to explain, but I'm just a little dizzy, lightheaded. But it's not serious."
Related: Miguel Tejada, Carlos Lee
Source: Houston Chronicle
Mon, Sep 28, 2009 09:05:00 AM
Kaz Matsui - 2B - Player

Kaz Matsui delivered a game-winning single off Brad Lidge in the bottom of the ninth to give the Astros a 5-4 win over the Phillies on Saturday.

It's more than a little distressing that the Astros have Matsui and his .295 OBP batting second, but he came through in a big way tonight after going hitless his first four times up. Hunter Pence opened the bottom of the ninth in a 4-3 game with a strikeout versus Lidge. A Geoff Blum walk, a Chris Coste single and a Jason Michaels walk followed. Michael Bourn had his chance to play hero against the guy he was traded for prior to 2008, but the Phillies were able to get the out at home on his grounder. Matsui then won it with a single that scored two.
Sat, Sep 5, 2009 10:58:00 PM
Kaz Matsui - 2B - Player

Kaz Matsui collected his 2,000th professional hit Saturday in a loss to the Brewers.

Matsui tallied his first 1,533 hits while playing Japan and has 567 over a six-year major league career. Kaz is batting .245 this season in 330 at-bats.
Sat, Aug 15, 2009 09:57:00 PM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
LF1Fred Lewis